LA Clippers, Kawhi Leonard (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
With the NBA going into a hiatus, there is a chance that Kawhi Leonard’s eventful first season with the LA Clippers may come to an end.
After signing reigning NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard this past free agency, fans of the LA Clippers were ecstatic, and for a good reason. Throughout his illustrious NBA career with the San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors, Leonard has built up quite a reputation, asserting himself among the best players in the world.
Having Leonard join the Clippers immediately shifted their stance in the league as an 8th seed that got knocked out in the first round to legitimate title contenders.
Although he put on a new jersey, this season was no different for the two-time NBA champion. Leonard has taken another significant leap forward, averaging new career-highs in both points per game and assists, while tying his career-best in rebounds.
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Playing in his last game on March 10th before the league’s suspension, Leonard’s season came to a halt with him averaging a fantastic 26.9 points per game, 5.0 assists per game, and 7.3 rebounds. The 28-year-old was quietly putting together an MVP caliber season to this point, and his play had elevated his LA Clippers squad to the second seed in the tough Western Conference.
Kawhi Leonard also added the All-Star Game MVP award to his flourished resume, being named the first player ever to take home the renamed Kobe Bryant MVP Award. Leonard scored 30 points to lead Team LeBron past Team Giannis by a score of 157-155 in the first year of the league’s new All-Star Game format.
In a season filled with noteworthy moments, some performances stand above others for Kawhi Leonard. Here are the reigning Finals MVP’s top 3 performances of the season for the LA Clippers along with an honorable mention.